S.C. Extension Advisory Council elects first executive board member from SC State University

Monday, February 02, 2009

The consultative group for South Carolina’s largest outreach program elected Kevin Gadsden vice-chairman of the State Extension Advisory Council (SEAC). Gadsden, who represents SC State University’s 1890 Research & Extension Program, is the first committee member from SC State to serve on the executive board.

The council advises South Carolina’s two land-grant institutions, Clemson University and SC State University, about the state’s outreach programs and services, recognized as Cooperative Extension. Extension staff and administrators from the universities select community leaders from across the state to serve on the advisory council.

“I look forward to working with Kevin as he serves as the vice-chairman of the State Extension Advisory Council. The Extension System values his leadership and his commitment to help Extension serve the educational needs of our clientele in a professional and efficient manner,” said Jesse Eargle, SEAC executive director.

In addition to providing guidance on the direction of the Extension Program, the council helps identifies problems in the community and aids in discovering solutions; advocates Extension to the public and elected officials; and helps identify funding opportunities.

Gadsden, a regional target marketing manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, said he will work to facilitate the council’s on-going efforts to enhance the lives of South Carolinians.

“Members of the State Extension Advisory Council are working together to foster inclusiveness,” said Gadsden, who is serving his third term on the council. “We are one united force with an interest in bringing together the knowledge and resources of both universities to better serve the citizens of South Carolina.”

More than 100 colleges and universities comprise the nation’s Land-Grant System. The institutions in the system receive federal and state funding to accomplish the land-grant mission of improving the quality of life for all citizens through teaching, research and extension.

While there are various types of land-grant colleges and universities, Clemson is the state’s 1862 institution and SC State is the 1890 institution. The designation marks the year in which federal legislation was enacted to establish the universities.

“As the state’s two land-grant universities, SC State and Clemson offer a tremendous advantage to South Carolina,” said Delbert T. Foster, assistant administrator of Extension. “We help meet the diverse needs of South Carolinians by working together,” Foster continued.

The State Extension Advisory Council meets twice a year. Its next meeting will be held Feb. 3-4 at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Northeast Columbia.